Locality

World class airport service

It will take only 15 minutes between Sandton Station and OR Tambo International Airport Station.

Commuters travelling from other Gautrain stations will need to transfer from the commuter service platform to the airport service platform in order to use the airport service.

Transfers between commuter and airport services will take place without any need to leave the station or pass through the ticket gates at the station concourse.

Airport passengers will use a separate platform at Sandton Station.

The airport service platform is designed to cater for the special needs of passengers carrying luggage.

The layout of airport coaches is designed to consider passengers with luggage.

Although not part of the station when it opens, provision has been made for remote airport check in facilities at Sandton Station.

The airport service is modelled after the operations of a select group of global cities that successfully offer rapid rail links to international airports. An example is the Heathrow Express.

A typical train on the airport link (west – east) will comprise:

Two airport rail coaches: sitting passengers with space for luggage.

Two to six general passenger coaches: sitting and standing passengers.

General commuter coaches on the airport link will not be accessible for airport passengers. Therefore, daily commuters using the general passenger services will only be able to embark or disembark at Rhodesfield, Marlboro or Sandton stations.

Passengers travelling in the special airport cars will notice that the doors will remain closed at intermediate stations such as Rhodesfield Station and Marlboro Station.

Transport to and from the station

A dedicated Gautrain bus service is provided for passengers within a distance of up to ten kilometres from the station.

There will be a Gautrain bus every 12 minutes during peak hours.

Gautrain bus feeder routes from surrounding areas such as Cresta and North Gate (serving Sandton Station).

Gautrain bus shelters will be placed every 500m in high-density areas. Bus stops will be finalised after establishing the sustainability of routes.

Seamless, door-to-door transfers between Gautrain and other modes of transport such as:

Minibus taxis

Municipal buses

Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit station;

Car rental services

Corporate buses

Timetable and route co-ordination with other modes of public transport. The Gautrain bus and train schedules will also be synchronised.

Parking

Affordable and safe parking for train users that want to leave their cars at the station (park and ride).

Parking for passengers that are dropped off at the station (kiss-and-ride).

Demarcated short-term parking for passengers.

Bicycle storage as well as motorcycle parking bays.

Ticketing

Smart card electronic ticketing requires only one ticket for the train, bus and parking.

Commuters will be able to use preloaded smart cards at self-help, computerised ticket vending machines in order to pay for train trips, bus trips or parking.

Money can be loaded on to the smart card via cash, debit cards or credit cards.

Contactless technology means that smart cards will be scanned electronically when they are swiped past station access gate readers.

In future, Gautrain’s electronic ticketing system will form part of a single ticketing system for all modes of public transport across Gauteng.

Timetables

Passengers will receive real-time information on timetables, fares and the destinations of trains and buses.

Electronic display systems inside trains and around stations.

Five trains per hour per direction during peak periods (a train every 12 minutes).

Three trains per hour per direction during off-peak periods (a train every 20 minutes).

Two trains per hour per direction during week-ends and public holidays (a train every 30 minutes).

The first train will be available daily at 05:30 and the last train will depart not earlier than 20:30.

Bus schedules will be aligned with the train schedules.

Security

Tight security on trains and stations through access control and electronic surveillance (over 650 CCTV cameras).

Security officers will be on guard and will maintain a visible presence at stations and inside trains.

Gautrain’s entire 80 kilometre rail network will be securely fenced with a 2,4 metre high security fence that will be regularly patrolled and maintained to prevent vandalism and unwanted entries.

Access control: only valid ticket holders will have access to station paid areas and platforms.

Passengers with special needs

Level boarding is a long-time feature of global underground railways. Matching the height and minimising the gap between Gautrain’s coach floor and the platform is designed to allow easy access for children, shoppers with heavy bags and the elderly. Each train set will have a section allocated to wheelchairs. The system will also accommodate mobility, sight and hearing impaired passengers.

On Gautrain’s dedicated Bus Link, low entrance floors, wide doorways and folding ramps will make it easier for passengers who have walking difficulties or those who need to use wheelchairs. Inside the buses, wheelchair positions will be fitted in accordance with the best practice designs available.

Places of interest

Several world-class hotels, entertainment and shopping centres such as the Balalaika, Michelangelo, Hilton and Garden Court Hotels, Sandton Towers, Nelson Mandela Square and Sandton City. Pedestrian access to these destinations will be improved as most are within walking distance from the Sandton Station.

Direct pedestrian link will be established between the Sandton Station and Nelson Mandela Square;

City of Johannesburg is planning a major development on top of the Gautrain Sandton Station podium. The Public Transport Interchange level of the Sandton Station will be a fully integrated public transport level where all modes of public transport can be accommodated.

Sandton is the financial core of South Africa. The area proudly houses the Johannesburg Stock Exchange as well as several financial institutions such as Investec and the head offices for Nedbank and Rand Merchant Bank.

The Sandton Convention Centre, a top venue for national and international conventions and events.

The Sandton skyline is undergoing radical change as 40 storey skyscrapers are under construction or being planned. A further 300,000m² of office space is also expected to be built by 2010.

A) CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION AND THE START OF PHASE 2 OPERATIONS On 02 August 2011 the second phase of the Gautrain System – the route linking Rosebank Station in Johannesburg to Hatfield Station in Tshwane – was opened for commercial service. This follows the initial launch of Gautrain services on 08 June 2010, just three days […]